2024-08304. Information Collection Being Reviewed by the Federal Communications Commission

AGENCY:

Federal Communications Commission.

ACTION:

Notice and request for comments.

SUMMARY:

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork burdens, and as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC or the Commission) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the following information collection. Comments are requested concerning: whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Commission, including whether the information shall have practical utility; the accuracy of the Commission's burden estimate; ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information collected; ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology; and ways to further reduce the information collection burden on small business concerns with fewer than 25 employees.

DATES:

Written PRA comments should be submitted on or before June 17, 2024. If you anticipate that you will be submitting comments, but find it difficult to do so within the period of time allowed by this notice, you should advise the contact listed below as soon as possible.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all PRA comments to Nicole Ongele, FCC, via email [e-mail] and to [e-mail].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For additional information about the information collection, contact Nicole Ongele, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The FCC may not conduct or sponsor a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid control number. No person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information subject to the PRA that does not display a valid Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number.

OMB Control Number: 3060-1286.

Title: Emergency Connectivity Fund Program.

Form Number: FCC Forms 471, 472, 474, 486, 488, and 500.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Respondents: Business or other for-profit, state, local or tribal government, and other not-for-profit institutions.

Number of Respondents and Responses: 23,000 respondents; 132,100 responses.

Estimated Time per Response: 4.5 hours for FCC Form 471 (4 hours for response; 0.5 hours for recordkeeping); 1.5 hours for FCC Forms 472/474 (1 hour for response; 0.5 hours for recordkeeping); 1.5 hours for Emergency Connectivity Fund Post-Commitment Change Request—FCC Form 488 (streamlines collection based on the FCC Forms 486 and 500 and FCC Form 471 for use in the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program) (1 hour for response; 0.5 hours for recordkeeping)).

Frequency of Response: On occasion and annual reporting requirements; recordkeeping requirement.

Obligation to Respond: Required to obtain or retain benefits. Statutory authority for this information collection is contained in in sections 1, 4(i), 4(j), 201-205, 214, 254, and 403 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, 47 U.S.C. 151-154, 201-205, 218-220, 254, 303(r), 403 and 405 and section 7402 of the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Law 117-2, 135 Stat. 4.

Total Annual Burden: 315,450 hours.

Total Annual Cost: No Cost.

Needs and Uses: The requirements contained herein are necessary to implement and administer the Congressional mandate for the Emergency Connectivity Fund. The information collected herein provides the Commission and USAC with the necessary information to administer the Emergency Connectivity Fund Program, determine the amount of support entities seeking funding are eligible to receive, determine if entities are complying with the Commission's rules, and to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse. The information also allows the Commission to evaluate the extent to which the Emergency Connectivity Fund is meeting the statutory objectives specified in section 7402 of the American Rescue Plan Act, the Commission's performance goals set forth in the Emergency Connectivity Fund Report and Order, and to evaluate the need for and feasibility of any future revisions to program rules. The name, address, DUNS number and business type will be disclosed in accordance with the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act/Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (FFATA/DATA Act) reporting requirements. Emergency Connectivity Fund Program application, commitment, and disbursement data is also publicly available.

Federal Communications Commission.

Marlene Dortch,

Secretary, Office of the Secretary.